The beginning of the year is always a time for resolutions, and Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento physician Rajiv Misquitta, MD, has one for you that is very timely considering February is American Heart Month.

Adopt a plant-based diet—basically, be vegan.

That’s what Dr. Misquitta did six years ago after he had a heart attack followed by a five-way bypass surgery four months later. He was just 40 and in reasonably good health.

The Internal Medicine doctor was discouraged that medicine could not completely keep his health problems at bay, so he made what many people might consider a drastic move: He eliminated all meat, dairy, and added fat, such as olive oil and nuts, from his diet. That decision was based on research suggesting a healthy lifestyle can reverse heart disease. He hasn’t had any heart problems since starting his new diet.

Give your holiday tree a proper send-off; rather than tossing it in the trash, recycle it! You’ll be doing our local landfills a favor.

Sacramento County Waste Management Recycling and SMUD are partnering again this year to offer free holiday tree recycling, including flocked trees, for residents and businesses of Sacramento County. Please remove all tinsel, lights, tree stands and nails prior to bringing them in.

The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but also a time when North Americans produce more trash than any other time of the year.

Here are a few tips to help reduce holiday waste. We know our customers are some of the greenest folks around, so please share your tips with us too. Let’s help each other discover new and creative ways to live lighter on the planet this holiday season... Read More

By Jeff Maher/News10 Did you know that about 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society? Remember to protect your skin and use sunscreen if you're heading outdoors this Memorial Day. Here are six things to know and consider about sunscreen as summer kicks off: 1. Check labels for the term "broad-spectrum." That means it protects against both the UVA rays which cause wrinkles and cancer as well as the UVB rays which cause burns. 2. Dermatologists say SPF 30 is the new SPF 15. Doctors are now recommending SPF 30 more than SPF 15 because the former blocks 97 percent of UVB rays. 3. Check expiration dates. Sunscreen becomes less effective about three years after you open the container. 4. Apply at least two layers of sunscreen. 5.

Learn to cook with the sun at this free event at William Land Park. This is a perfect opportunity for novices and solar cooking pros. When most people see it they say, "It's so easy!"

Watch local and international chefs demonstrate their cooking techniques. Solar chefs will hold mini solar-cooking classes to get you started. You can purchase new solar cookers or learn how to make one at home.

Solar cookers help families throughout the world. You can learn more about the international outreach at this event or on-line at solarcookers.org

If you are a Solar Chef and would like to find out how to participate, go to http://solarcookers.org/events/festival/

Online registration ends July 16th. This will be a unique opportunity to work alongside solar chefs from Kenya, Norway, Uganda, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Germany, Canada and Hong Kong.